HEAVENLY WATCHWOKDS; 



PROMISES AND COUNTERSIGNS. 

By L. B. J. 




PHILADELPHIA : 

PKESB YTERI AN BOARD OF PUBLICATION, 
No, 821 Chestnut Street. 



13 V^soi 



Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1861, by 

JAMES DUNLAP, Treas. 

in the Clerk's Office of the District Conrt for the Eastern District 
of Pennsylvania. 

STEREOTYPED BY WILLIAM W. HARDING, PHILADELPHIA. 



2~ * h % r 



ADVERTISEMENT. 



The following extract from Miss War- 
ner's " Queechy," suggested the idea of 
this little book, and will explain its de- 
sign : — 

" But how shall one be sure that one has 
a right to these words ? . . . One cannot 
take the comfort of them unless one is 
sure." . . . "The promises have many 
of them their double — stamped with the 
very same signet — and if the sealed coun- 
terpart is your own, it is the sure earnest 
and title to the whole value of the pro- 
mises.'' 

" Well, in this case?" . . . 

" In this case, God says, ' I am thy shield 
and thy exceeding great reward.' Now 

see if your own heart can give the counter- 

(3) 



4 



ADVERTISEMENT. 



sign. ' Thou art my portion, 0 Lord!' . . . 
If you have the one, . . . the other is yours 
— it is the note of hand of the Maker of 
the promise — sure to be honoured. And 
if you want proof, here it is, — and a three- 
fold cord is not soon broken. ' Because 
he hath set his love upon me, therefore 
will I deliver him : I will set him on high, 
because he hath known my name. He 
shall call upon me and I will answer him ; 
I will be with him in trouble ; I will deliver 
him, and honour him. "With long life will 
I satisfy him, and show him my salva- 
tion.' " — Queechy, vol. ii. p. 322. 

The connection between the Promises, 
Countersigns, and Proofs, is best seen, by 
reading the Proof directly after the Pro- 
mise, and then the Countersign. As the 
Countersigns are expressive of different 
parts of the Christian temper, they may 
be used as tests for self-examination ; only 
to prevent discouragement, we must recol- 



ADVERTISEMENT. 



5 



lect, that " one undoubted fruit of the Spi- 
rit, standing out bright and undeniable, is 
just ground of belief that the soul is re- 
generate," * and therefore has an interest 
in all the promises. 

* Plain Words to a Young Communicant.. — Dr. J. W. 
Alexander. 



1* 



INDEX TO THE PROMISES. 



PAGE 

Balm for the Wounded 9 

Pardoning Grace 11 

Salvation for the Chief of Sinners 13 

A New Heart 16 

The Privilege of Adoption 20 

Persevering Grace 23 

The Covenant 26 

The Strong Refuge 28 

God's Covenant-promise to Children 30 

Guiding Grace 32 

Strengthening Grace 34 

Christ's Constant Presence 36 

Blessing on our Work 39 

Answers to Prayer 40 

Victory over Sin 44 

Cordial for the Careworn 47 

Temporal Mercies 49 

Promise to the Backsliding 52 

Absent Friends 54 

Christ's Special Presence in Worship 57 

Promises for Time of Trial 59 

The Mourner's Gain 62 

Unmingled Good 65 

A Short Journey 68 

Promise to the Sick 71 

No Separation 74 

DyiDg Grace 77 

(?) 



8 



INDEX TO THE PEOMISES. 



PAGE 



Heaven Immediately after Death 81 

An Abundant Entrance 83 

God, our Satisfying Portion 86 

The Lord's Joy in Us 89 

No More Mourning . 91 

Fulness of Joy and Pleasures for Evermore 95 

A Place where Jesus is 98 

A Crown of Glory 100 

White Robes 101 

The New Song......... 104 

The Resurrection Promise 108 

Open Acknowledgment and Acquittal in the Day of Judgment... 112 

The Free Reward 116 

The Eternal Glory 120 



HEAVENLY WATCHWORDS; 

OR 

PROMISES AND COUNTERSIGNS. 



BALM FOR THE WOUNDED. 

Geeat Grod, the treasures of thy love 

Are everlasting mines, 
Deep as our helpless miseries are, 

And boundless as our sins. 

Promise. Is there no balm in Grilead ? is 
there no Physician there ? Come unto me, 
all ye that labour and are heavy laden, 
and I will give you rest. — Jer. viii. 22; 
Matt. xi. 28. 

Countersign. The whole head is sick, and 
the whole heart, faint. — Isa. i. 5. 



Proof. The Lord healeth the broken in 
heart, and bindeth up their wounds. They 

(9) 



10 HEAVENLY WATCHWOKDS; OR 



that are whole need not a Physician, but 
they that are sick. — Psa. cxlvii. 3 ; Matt. 
ix. 12. 

I heard the voice of Jesus say, 

Come unto me and rest ; 
Lay down, thou weary one, lay down 

Thy burden on my breast : — 
I came to Jesus, as I was, 

Weary, and worn, and sad; 
I found in him, a resting place, 

And he has made me glad. 

I heard the voice of Jesus sav, 

Behold, I freely give 
The living water; thirsty one, 

Stoop down, and drink, and live. 
I came to Jesus, and I drank 

Of that life-giving stream, 
My thirst was quenched, my soul revived, 

And now I live in Him. 

I heard the voice of Jesus say, 
I am this dark world's light ; — 

Look unto me, thy morn shall rise, 
And all thy clay be bright. 



PROMISES AND COUNTERSIGNS. 11 

I looked to Jesus, and I found 
In Him, my star, my sun ; — 

And in this light of life I'll walk 
Till travelling days be done. 



PARDONING GRACE. 

Mercy alone can meet my case, 

For mercy, Lord, I cry ; 
Jesus, Redeemer, show thy face 

In mercy, or I die. 

Promise. Thou hast made me to serve 
with thy sins, thou hast wearied me with 
thine iniquities. I, even I, am he that 
blotteth out thy transgressions, for mine 
own sake, and will not remember thy sins. 
— Isa. xliii. 24, 25. 

Countersign. 0 Lord, pardon mine ini- 
quity, for it is great. Against thee, thee 
only have I sinned, and done this evil in 
thy sight. — Psa. xxv. 11 ; v. 4. 



12 HEAVENLY WATCHWORDS; OR 



Proof. If we confess our sins, he is faith- 
ful and just to forgive us our sins. — 1 John 
i. 9. 

Just as I am, — without one plea, 
But that thy blood was shed for me, 
And that thou bidd'st me come to thee, — 
0 Lamb of Grod, I come. 

Just as I am, — and waiting not, 
To rid my soul of one dark blot, — 
To thee, whose blood can cleanse each spot, 
0 Lamb of Grod, I come. 

Just as I am, — though tossed about 
With many a conflict, many a doubt, 
With fears within, and foes without— 
0 Lamb of Grod, I come. 

Just as I am, — poor, wretched, blind ; 
Sight, riches, healing of the mind, 
Yea, all I need, in thee to find, 

0 Lamb of Grod, I come. 

Just as I am, — thou wilt receive, 
Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve, 
Because thy promise I believe, 

0 Lamb of Grod, I come. 



PROMISES AND COUNTERSIGNS. 13 



Just as I am, — thy love unknown 
Hath broken every barrier down ; 
Now to be thine, yea, thine alone, 
0 Lamb of God, I come. 

Just as I am : — Of that free love, 
;The length, breadth, depth, and height to 
prove ; 

Here for a season, — then above — 
0 Lamb of Grod, I come. 



SALVATION FOR THE CHIEF OF SINNERS. 

Jesus, the sinner's friend, to thee, 
Lost and undone, for aid I flee ; 
Weary of earth, myself, and sin, 
Open thine arms and take me in. 
What shall I say thy grace to move? 
Lord, I am sin, but thou art love ; 
I give up every plea beside, — 
Lord, I am lost, but thou hast died, 

2 



14 HE ATEINTLY WATCHWORDS; OR 



Promise. This is a faithful saying, and 
worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus 
came into the world to save sinners, of 
whom I am chief. Though your sins be as 
scarlet, they shall be as white as snow ; 
though they be red like crimson, they shall 
be as wool. — 1 Tim. i. 15 ; Isa. i. 18. 

Countersign. Lord, save us : we perish. — 
Matt. viii. 25. 

Proof. Look unto me and be ye saved. 
Him that cometh to me, I will in no wise 
cast out. — Isa. xlv. 22 ; John vi. 37. 

I once was a stranger to grace and to God, 
I knew not my danger, and felt not my load ; 
Though friends spoke in rapture of Christ 

on the tree, 
Jehovah Tsidkenu was nothing to me. 

I oft read with pleasure, to soothe or engage, 
Isaiah's bold measure and John's simple 

page ; 

But e'en when they pictured the blood- 
sprinkled tree, 
Jehovah Tsidkenu seemed nothing to me, 



PROMISES AND COUNTERSIGNS. 15 



Like tears from the daughters of Zion that 
roll, 

I wept when the waters went over his soul ; 
Yet thought not my sins had nailed to the 
tree 

Jehovah Tsidkenu ; — 'twas nothing to me. 

When free grace awoke me, by light from 
on high, 

Then legal fears shook me, I trembled to 
die, 

]STo refuge, no safety in self could I see, — 
Jehovah Tsidkenu my Saviour must be. 

My terrors all vanished before the sweet 
name ; 

My guilty fears banished, with boldness I 
came 

To drink at the fountain, life-giving and 
free, — 

Jehovah Tsidkenu is all things to me. 

Jehovah Tsidkenu ! my treasure and boast, 
Jehovah Tsidkenu ! I ne'er can be lost ; 
In thee I shall conquer by flood and by 
field, 

My cable, my anchor, my breast-plate and 
shield ! 



16 HEAVENLY WATCHWORDS; OR 

Even treading the valley, the shadow of 
death, 

This watchword shall rally my faltering 
breath ; 

For while from life's fever my God sets me 
free, 

Jehovah Tsidkenu, my death song shall be. 



A NEW HEART. 

Tune, Lord, this heart, as 'twere a lyre 
Of heavenly make — 'till every wire, 

And every chord, 
Wake but one strain — one deepest thrill — 
Long, louder, sweeter, fuller still — 

Love to my Lord. 

Promise. Then will I sprinkle clean water 
upon you, and ye shall be clean : from all 
your filthiness, and from all your idols, 
will I cleanse you. A new heart also will 
I give you, and a new spirit will I put 
within you : and I will take away the stony 
heart out of your flesh, and I will give you 



PROMISES AND COUNTERSIGNS. 17 



an heart of flesh. And I will put my spi- 
rit within you, and cause you to walk in 
my statutes, and ye shall keep my judg- 
ments, and do them. — Ezekiel xxxvi. 25 
—27. . 

Countersign. Create in me a clean heart, 
0 God; and renew a right spirit within 
me. Wash me thoroughly from mine ini- 
quity, and cleanse me from my sin. — Psa. 
li. 10, 2. 

Proof. Ask, and it shall be given you ; 
seek and ye shall find. If ye then, being 
evil, know how to give good gifts unto 
your children : how much more shall your 
heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to 
them that ask him. — Luke xi. 9, 13. 

Here is my heart ! — my God, I give it thee ; 

I heard thee call and say, 
f 1 Not to the world, my child, but unto me, ' ' — 

I heard, and will obey. 
Here is love's offering to my King, 

Which in glad sacrifice I bring — 

Here is my heart ! 
2* J 



18 HEAVENLY WATCHWORDS ; OR 

Here is my heart ! — surely the gift though 
poor, 

My Grod will not despise ; 
Vainly and long I sought to make it pure, 

To meet thy searching eyes : 
Corrupted once in Adam's fall, 
The stains of sin pollute it all — 
My guilty heart ! 

Here is my heart ! — my heart so hard be- 
fore, 

JNow by thy grace made meet ; 
Yet bruised and wearied, it can only pour 

Its anguish at thy feet ; 
It groans beneath the weight of sin, 
It sighs salvation's joy to win — 

My mourning heart ! 

Here is my heart ! — in Christ its longings 

end, 

Near to his cross it draws ; 
It says, " Thou art my portion, 0 my Friend ! 

Thy blood my ransom was." 
And in the Saviour it has found 
"What blessedness and peace abound — 
My trusting heart ! 



PEOMISES ANT) COUNTERSIGNS. 19 

Here is my heart ! — ah ! Holy Spirit, come, 

Its nature to renew, 
And consecrate it wholly as thy home, 

A temple fair and true : 
Teach it to love and serve thee more, 
To fear thee, trust thee, and adore — 
My cleansed heart ! 

Here is my heart! — it trembles to draw 
near 

The glory of thy throne ; 
Give it the shining robe thy servants wear, 

Of righteousness thine own ; 
Its pride and folly chase away 
And all its vanity, I pray — 

My humbled heart ! 

Here is my heart! — teach it, 0 Lord, to 
cling 

In gladness unto thee ; 
And in the day of sorrow still to sing, 

" Welcome, my God's decree :" 
Believing, all its journey through, 
That thou art wise, and just, and true — 
My waiting heart. 



20 HEAVENLY WATCHWORDS; OR 

Here is my heart ! — 0 Friend of friends, be 

near 

To make each tempter fly ; 
And when my latest foe I wait with fear, 

Grive me the victory ! 
Gladly on thy love reposing, 
Let me say, when life is closing, 

" Here is my heart ! " 



THE PRIVILEGE OF ADOPTION. 

GrREAT Grod, indulge my humble claim 

Thou art my Hope, my Joy, my Rest ; 
The glories that compose thy name, 

Stand all engaged to make me blest. 
Thou great and good, thou just and wise, 

Thou art my Father, and my Grod, 
And I am thine, by sacred ties, 

Thy son, thy servant, bought with blood. 

Promise. I will receive you, and will be 
a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons 
and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. 
—2 Got. vl 17, 18. 



PKOMISES AND COUNTERSIGNS. 21 



Countersigns. 1. We believe and are sure 
that thou art that Christ, the Son of the 
living God. — John vi. 69. 

2. My Father, thou art the guide of my 
youth. — Jer. iii. 4. 

Proofs. 1. As many as received him, to 
them gave he power to become the sons of 
God, even to them that believe on his name. 
— John i. 12. 

2. And because ye are sons, God hath 
sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your 
hearts, crying, Abba, Father. For ye 
have not received the spirit of bondage 
again to fear; but ye have received the 
spirit of adoption. — Gal. iv. 6 ; Bom. viii. 
15. 

My Father is the mighty Lord, whose arm 
Spans earth and sky, and shields his child 

from harm ; 
"Whose still small voice of love is yet the 

same 

As once from Horeb's fiery mount it came. 



22 HEAVENLY WATCHWORDS; OR 

Whose glorious works the angel choirs de- 
clare, 

He hears their praise, and listens to my 
prayer. 

My King is Grod's eternal holy Son, 
And he anoints me as a chosen one ; 
He has redeemed me with his precious 
blood, 

And for unnumbered debts has surety 
stood ; 

He fought the foe, and drew me by his 
hand, 

Out from his camp, into his Father's land. 

My brotherhood's a circle, stretching wide 
Around one fount, although a sea divide. 
With fathers, who behold the Lord in light, 
With saints unborn, who shall adore his 
might, 

With brothers, who the race of faith now 
run, 

In union and communion, I am one ! 

My journey's end lies upward and afar ; 
It glimmers bright, but vaguely as a star ; 



PEOMISES AND COUNTERSIGNS. 23 

And oft as faith, has caught some glimpse 
serene, 

So often clouds and mists obscure the scene; 
Yet in this longing ends each vision dim — 
To see my Lord, and to be made like Him! 

My grave, so long a dark and drear abyss, 
Is now scarce noticed on the way to bliss ; 
Once at the gates of Hell it yawning lay, 
Now stands as portal to the land of day ; 
It takes me to the Father's home so blest; 
It brings me to the feast, a welcome guest. 



PERSEVERING GRACE. 

Grace will complete what grace begins, 
To save from sorrow and from sins. 
The work that wisdom undertakes 
Eternal mercy ne'er forsakes. 

Promise. He which hath begun a good 
work in you, will perform it until the day 
of Jesus Christ. Moreover whom m he did 
predestinate, them he also called: and 



24 heavenly watchwords; or 

whom he called, them he also justified : and 
whom he justified, them he also glorified. 
—Phil i. 6 ; Bom. viii. 30. 

Countersign. Every man that striveth for 
the mastery is temperate in all things. I 
therefore so run, not as uncertainly ; so 
fight I, not as one that beateth the air. But 
I keep my body under, and bring it into 
subjection, lest that by any means when I 
have preached to others, I myself should be 
a castaway. — -1 Cor. ix. 25-27. 

Proof. The righteous also shall hold on 
his way, and he that hath clean hands shall 
be stronger and stronger. Whatsoever is 
born of Grod doth not commit sin ; for his 
seed remaineth in him : and he cannot sin, 
because he is born of Grod. — Job xvii. 9; 
John iii. 9. 

A debtor to mercy alone, 

Of covenant mercy I sing ; 
Nor fear with thy righteousness on> 

My person and offerings to bring : 



PROMISES AND COUNTERSIGNS. 25 

The terrors of law and of Grod, 
With me can have nothing to do ; 

My Saviour's obedience and blood 

Hide all my transgressions from view. 

The work which his goodness began, 

The arm of his strength will complete ; 
His promise is, " Yea, and Amen," 

And never was forfeited yet. 
Things future, nor things that are now, 

Not all things below or above, 
Can make him his purpose forego, 

Or sever my soul from his love. 

My name from the palms of his hands 

Eternity will not erase ; 
Impressed on his heart it remains 

In marks of indelible grace : 
Yes, I to the end shall endure, 

As sure as the earnest is given ; 
More happy, but not more secure 

The glorified spirits in heaven. 

3 



26 HEAVENLY WATCHWOKDS; OK 



THE COVENANT. 

Lord, in the strength of grace, 

With a glad heart and free, 
Myself, my residue of days, 

I consecrate to thee. 
Thy ransomed servant, I 

Restore to thee thine own, 
And from this moment live or die 

To serve my Grod alone. 

Promise. Ye shall be my people, and I 
will be your Grod. — Jer. xxx. 22. 

Countersign. 0 Lord, our Grod, other lords 
besides thee have had dominion over us : 
but by thee only will we make mention of 
thy name. All that the Lord hath spoken 
will we do. — Isa. xxvi. 13 ; Ex. xix. 8. 

Proof. And I will give them an heart to 
know me, that I am the Lord : and they 
shall be my people, and I will be their 
God : for they shall return unto rae with 



PBOMISES AND COUNTEESIGNS. 27 

their whole heart. And I will make an 
everlasting covenant with them, that I will 
not turn away from them, to do them good. 
— Jer. xxiv. 7 ; xxxii. 40. 

Witness ye men and angels ; now 

Before the Lord we speak ; 
To him we make our solemn vow, 

A vow we dare not break : 

That, long as life itself shall last, 

Ourselves to Christ we yield ; 
Nor from his cause will we depart, 

Or ever quit the field. 

We trust not in our native strength, 

But on his grace rely, 
That, with returning wants, the Lord 

Will all our need supply. 

Lord, guide our doubtful feet aright, 

And keep us in thy ways ; 
And, while we turn our vows to prayers, 

Turn thou our prayers to praise. 



28 HEA.VENLY WATCH WOKDS; OR 



THE STRONG REFUGE. 

When first before His mercy-seat, 
Thou didst to him thine all commit, 
He gave thee warrant from that hour 
To trust his wisdom, love, and power. 

Promise. For the mountains shall depart, 
and the hills be removed; but my kind- 
ness shall not depart from thee, neither 
shall the covenant of my peace be removed, 
saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee. — 
Isa. liv. 10. 

Countersign. God is our refuge and 
strength, a very present help in trouble. 
Therefore will we not fear, though the earth 
be removed, and though the mountains be 
carried into the midst of the sea. — Psalm 
xlvi. 1, 2. 

Proof. They that trust in the Lord shall 
be as Mount Zion, which cannot be re- 
moved, but abideth for ever. As the moun- 



PROMISES AND COUNTERSIGNS. 29 

tains are round about Jerusalem, so the 
Lord is round about his people henceforth 
even for ever. — Psa. cxxv. 1, 2. 

Through the love of Grod our Saviour 

All will be well ; 
Free and changeless is his favour ; 

All, all is well. 
Precious is the blood that healed us, 
Perfect is the grace that sealed us, 
Strong the hand stretched out to shield us, 

All must be well. 

Though we pass through tribulation, 

All will be well ; 
Ours is such a full salvation, 

All, all is well. 
Happy, still in Grod confiding, 
Fruitful, if in Christ abiding, 
Holy, through the Spirit's guiding, 

All must be well. 

We expect a bright to-morrow — 

All will be well, 
Faith can sing through days of sorrow, 

All, all is welL 

8* 



30 HEAVENLY WATCHWORDS; OR 

On our Father's love relying, 
Jesus, every need supplying, 
Or in living or in dying, 
All must be well. 



GOD'S COVENANT- PROMISE TO CHIL- 
DREN. 

Thou, 0 Saviour, while on earth residing, 
Never didst thou scorn a mother's 
prayer : 

Faith may still behold thee here abiding — 
Still commend her treasures to thy care. 

Hide and guard them in thy tender arms, 
Till the wilderness of life be past ; 

Save them from temptation's fatal charms, 
Seal them for thine own, from first to 
last. 

Promise. And I will establish my cove- 
nant between me and thee, — for an ever- 
lasting covenant, to be a God to thee, and 
to thy seed after thee. — Gen. xvii. 7. 



PKOMISES AND COUNTERSIGNS. 31 

Countersign. As for me and my house, we 
will serve the Lord. I will walk within 
my house with a perfect heart. — Josh. xxiv. 
15 ; Psa. ci. 2. 

Proof. The children of thy servants shall 
continue, and their seed be established be- 
fore thee. For I know him, that he will 
command his children and his household 
after him, and they shall keep the way of 
the Lord, to do justice and judgment : that 
the Lord may bring upon Abraham that 
which he hath spoken of him. — Psa. cii. 
28 ; Gen. xviii. 19. 

See Israel's gentle Shepherd stand, 

With all -engaging charms ; 
Hark, how he calls the tender lambs, 

And folds them in his arms. 

Permit them to approach, he cries, 
JS"or scorn their humble name ; 

For 'twas to bless such souls as these, 
The Lord of angels came. 

We bring them, Lord, in thankful hands. 
And yield them up to thee, 



32 HEAVENLY WATCHWORDS; OR 

Joyful that we ourselves are thine, 
Thine let our offspring be. 

If orphans they are left behind, 
Thy guardian care we trust ; 

That care shall heal our bleeding hearts, 
If weeping o'er their dust. 



GUIDING GRACE. 

Thou faithful Shepherd Lord ! 

Who ledd'st thy flock of old, 
Teach me that still thou lov'st 

Each weak one of thy fold. 
Saviour ! unto thy voice 

May I obedient be ; 
And trustful as a lamb 

Arise and follow thee. 

Promise. I will instruct thee, and teach 
thee in the way which thou shalt go : I 
will guide thee with mine eye. — Psa. xxxii. 
8. 



PROMISES AND COUNTERSIGNS. 33 



Countersign. Cause me to know the way 
wherein I should walk. Teach me to do 
thy will. — Psa. cxliii. 8, 10. 

Proof. Trust in the Lord with all thine 
heart ; and lean not to thine own under- 
standing. In all thy ways acknowledge 
him, and he shall direct thy paths. — Prov. 
iii. 5, 6. 

Lead, Saviour, lead, amid th' encircling 
gloom 

Lead thou me on : 
The night is dark and I am far from home. 

Lead thou me on. 
Keep thou my feet, I do not ask to see 
The distant scene — one step enough for me. 

I was not ever thus, nor prayed that thou 

Shouldst lead me on ; 
I loved to choose and see my path, but now 

Lead thou me on. 
I loved the glare of day ; and, spite of fears, 
Pride ruled my will : remember not past 
years. 



34 HEAVENLY WATCHWOEDS; OR 

So long thy power hath bless'd me — sure 
it still 

Will lead me on, 
O'er vale and hill, through stream and tor- 
rent, till 

The night is gone, 
And, with the morn, those angel faces smite, 
Which I have loved long since, and lost 
awhile. 



STRENGTHENING GRACE. 

One by one, thy griefs shall meet thee, 

Do not fear an arm6d band ; 
One will fade as others greet thee, 

Shadows passing through the land. 
Do not look at life's long sorrow ; 

Think how small each moment's pain, 
Grod will help thee for to-morrow, 

Every day begin again. 

Promise. As thy day so shall thy strength 
be. My grace is sufficient for thee; for 



PEOMISES AND COUNTEKSIGNS. 35 

my strength is made perfect in weakness. 
— Lent, xxxiii. 25 ; 2 Cor. xii. 9. 

Countersign. I can do all things through 
Christ which strengtheneth me. The rock 
of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. 
What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. 
—Phil iv. 13 ; Psa. lxii. 7 ; lvi. 3. 

Proof. Be strong and of good courage, 
fear not, — And the Lord, he it is that doth 
go before thee ; he will be with thee, he 
will not fail thee, neither forsake thee : fear 
not, neither be dismayed. Be of good 
courage, and he shall strengthen your 
heart, all ye that hope in the Lord. — Pent. 
xxxi. 6, 8 ; Psa. xxxi. 24. 

When adverse winds and waves arise, 
And in my heart despondence sighs, 
When life her throng of care reveals, 
And weakness o'er my spirit steals ; 
Grateful I hear the kind decree, 
That as my day, my strength shall be. 

When, with sad footsteps, mem'ry roves 
O'er smitten joys and buried loves, 



36 HEAVENLY WATCHWOKDS; OR 



When sleep my tearful pillow flies, 
And dewy morning drinks my sighs, 
Still to thy promise, Lord, I flee, 
That as my day my strength shall be. 

One trial more must yet be passed, 
One pang — the keenest and the last ! 
And when with brow convulsed and pale, 
My feeble, quivering heart-strings fail, 
Redeemer, grant my soul to see, 
That as her day, her strength shall be. 



CHRIST'S CONSTANT PRESENCE. 

"Always I 'm with you," how precious the 
thought ! 

By my Saviour Almighty I'm never forgot, 
Though temptations assail me and trials 
draw near, 

His presence will comfort, his company 
cheer. 

Promise. Lo, I am with you alway. — 
Matt xxviii. 20. 



PKOMISES AND COUNTERSIGNS. 37 



Countersign. Be merciful unto me, 0 
Lord; for I cry unto thee daily. — Psalm 
lxxxvi. 3. 

Proof. The Lord is nigh unto all them 
that call upon him in truth. — Psa. cxlv. 18. 

What dejected form is this, 
Coming from the wilderness ? 
Weary step and languid eye 
Tell a chequered history : 
Church of Christ, art thou alone, 
With no arm to lean upon ? 

Everlasting arms of love 
Are beneath, around, above : 
He who left his throne of light, 
And unnumbered angels bright, 
He who faced the fiery flood, 
Braved the baptism of blood, 
Who upon the accursed tree, 
Gave his precious life for me, 
He it is who bears me on, 
His the arm I lean upon. 

He who, now enthroned above, 
Still retains his heart of love, 



38 HEAVENLY WATCHWOKDS ) OR 



Marking still each falling tear 
Of his burdened pilgrims here, 
He who wields creation's rod, 
He, my Brother, yet my Grod, 
Never slumbering, never sleeping, 
Vigils ever wakeful keeping, 
Faithful he, whate'er betide, 
Is my Everlasting Guide. 

All things hasten to decay, 
Earth and seas must pass away : 
Soon must yonder circling sun, 
Cease his blazing course to run. 
Scenes may vary, friends grow strange, 
But the Changeless cannot change : 
Friendship his, that naught can sever, 
Loving once, he loves for ever ! 
Gladly will I journey on, 
With his arm to lean upon. 
Say, with such a Friend as this, 
Who would dread the wilderness ? 



PKOMISES AND COUNTERSIGNS. 39 



BLESSING ON OUR WORK. 

GrOD's justice is a bed, where we 

Our anxious heart may lay, 
And, weary with ourselves, may sleep 

Our discontent away. 
For right is right, since Grod is God ; 

And right the day must win ; 
To doubt would be disloyalty, 

To falter would be sin. 

Promise. He that goeth forth and weep- 
eth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless 
come again with rejoicing, bringing his 
sheaves with him. — Psa. cxxvi. 6. 

Countersign. I have great heaviness, and 
continual sorrow in my heart. My heart's 
desire and prayer to Grod — is, that they 
may be saved. — Pom. ix. 2 ; x. 1. 

Proof. They that sow in tears shall reap 
in joy. — Psa. cxxvi. 5. If we ask any 
thing according to his will, he heareth us. 



40 HEAVENLY WATCH WOEDS; OR 

— The Lord is not willing that any should 
perish, — but that all should come to re- 
pentance. — 1 John y. 14 ; 2 Pet. iii. 9. 

Ye who think the truth ye sow 
Lost beneath the winter's snow, 
Doubt not, time's unerring law 
Yet shall bring the genial thaw ; 
Grod in nature ye can trust, 
God in mind, is he less just? 

If great Wisdom has decreed 
Man may labour, yet the seed 
Never in this life shall grow, 
Shall the sower cease to sow ? 
The fairest fruit may yet be borne 
On the resurrection morn. 



ANSWERS TO PRAYER. 

Lord, what a change within us, one short 
hour 

Spent in thy presence will avail to make ! 



PEOMISES AND COITNTEKSIGNS. 41 

What heavy burdens from our bosoms 
take ! 

What parched grounds refresh as with a 
shower ! — 

We kneel, and all around us seems to 
lower ; — 

We rise, and all, the distant and the near, 
Stand forth in sunny outline — brave and 
clear. 

We kneel, how weak ! we rise, how full of 
power ! 

Why therefore should we do ourselves this 
wrong, 

Or others — that we are not always strong? 
That we are ever overborne with care ; — 
That we should ever weak or heartless be, 
Anxious or troubled, when with us is 
prayer, 

And joy and strength and courage are with 
thee? 

Promise. Ask, and ye shall receive. — John 
xvi. 24. 

Countersigns. 1. The life which I now live 
in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son 
of God.— Gal ii. 20. 

4* 



42 HEATEDLY WATCHWORDS; OR 



2. Because thy loving-kindness is better 
than life, my lips shall praise thee. — Psa. 
lxiii. 3. 

Proofs. 1. If ye abide in me, and my 
words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye 
will, and it shall be done unto you. — John 
xv. 7. 

2. Delight thyself also in the Lord ; and 
he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. 
— Psa. xxxvii. 4. 

That mystic word of thine, 0 sovereign 
Lord, 

Is all too pure, too high, too deep, for me; 
Weary of striving, and with longing faint, 
I breathe it back again in prayer to 
thee. 

Abide in me, I pray, and I in thee, 

From this good hour, 0 leave me never 
more : 

Then shall the discord cease, the wound be 
healed, 

The life-long bleeding of the soul be o'er. 



PKOMISES AND COUNTERSIGNS. 43 

Abide in me : o'ershadow by thy love 
Each half-formed purpose and dark 
thought of sin : 
Quench, ere it rise, each selfish low desire, 
And keep my soul as thine, calm and 
divine. 

As some rare perfume in a vase of clay, 
Pervades it with a fragrance not its own, 

So when thou dwellest in a mortal soul, 
All heaven's own sweetness seems around 
it thrown. 

The soul alone, like a neglected harp, 
Grows out of tune, and needs a hand 
divine : 

Dwell thou within it, tune and touch the 
chords, 

'Till every note and string shall answer 
thine. 

Abide in me; there have been moments 
past, 

When I have seen thy face, and felt thy 
power : — 



41 HEAVENLY WATCHWORDS; OR 



Then evil lost its grasp, and passion, 
hushed, 

Owned the divine enchantment of the 
hour. 

These have been seasons beautiful and rare, 
Abide in me and they shall ever be : 

Fulfil at once thy precept and my prayer, 
Come and abide in me, and I in thee. 



VICTORY OVER SIN. 

Jesus, help conquer ! 

Earth holds out her lure, 
And mortal affections yearn after the prize ; 

Scarcely my heart 

Can the struggle endure ; 
Scarce can I lift up my tear blinded eyes. 

Jesus, Redeemer! 

Thy promise is sure — 
Speak to my spirit, and bid me arise. 

Promise. Sin shall not have dominion 
over you. — Rom. vi. 14. 



PROMISES AND COUNTERSIGNS. 45 

Countersign. 0 wretched man that I am ! 
who shall deliver me from the body of this 
death ? I delight in the law of Grod after 
the inward man. For to will is present 
with me ; but how to perform that which 
is good, I find not. — Bom. vii. 24, 22, 18. 

Proof. Blessed are they which do hunger 
and thirst after righteousness ; for they 
shall be filled. If Christ be in you, the 
body is dead because of sin ; but the spirit 
is life because of righteousness. — Matt. v. 
6 ; Bom. viii. 10. 

Nearer, my God, to thee, 

Nearer to thee, 
E'en though it be a cross 

That raiseth me : — 
Still all my song shall be, 

Nearer, my Grod, to thee, 

Nearer to thee ! 

Though like a wanderer, 

The sun gone down, 
Darkness comes over me ; 

My rest, a stone. 
Yet in my dreams, I'd be 



46 HEAVENLY WATCHWORDS; OR 

Nearer, my Grod, to thee, 
Nearer to thee ! 

Then let my way appear 

Steps unto heaven ; 
All that thou sendest me 

In mercy given ; 
Angels to beckon me 

Nearer, my Grod, to thee, — 

Nearer to thee ! 

Then with my waking thoughts, 

Bright with thy praise, 
Out of my stony griefs 

Bethel I'll raise. 
So by my woes to be 

Nearer, my God, to thee, 

Nearer to thee ! 

And when on joyful wing 

Cleaving the sky ; 
Sun, moon, and stars forgot, 

Upward I fly ; 
Still all my song shall be, 

Nearer, my Grod, to thee, 

Nearer to thee ! 



PKOMISES AND COUNTEKSIGNS. 47 



CORDIAL FOR THE CAREWORN. 

0 may I every care 

Roll trustingly on thee ; 
My heart for all its joys 

Unto the Saviour flee ! 
Be still — and no more sad, 

With anxious sorrow pressed, 
Since my good Shepherd knows 

His own sheep's wants the best. 

Promise. Cast thy burden upon the Lord, 
and he will sustain thee. — Psa. lv. 22. 

Countersign. 0 Lord, I am oppressed ; 
undertake for me. — Isa. xxxviii. 14. 

Proof. Commit thy way unto the Lord ; 
trust also in Him ; and he shall bring it to 
pass. — Psa. xxxvii. 5. 

Give to the winds thy fears, 
Hope, and be undismayed ; 



48 HEAVENLY WATCHWORDS; OR 

Grod hears thy sighs, and counts thy tears ; 
He shall lift up thy head. 

Through waves, and clouds, and storms, 

He gently clears thy way : 
Wait thou his time — so shall thy night 

Soon end in joyous day. 

What though thou rulest not, — 
Yet heaven, and earth, and hell, 

Proclaim Grod sitteth on the throne, 
And ruleth all things well. 

He every where hath sway, 

And all things serve his might, 

His every act pure blessing is, 
His path unsullied light. 

Leave to his sovereign sway 

To choose and to command : 
So shalt thou, wondering, own his way — 

How wise, how strong his hand ! 

Far, far above thy thought 

His counsel shall appear, 
When fully he the work hath wrought 

That caused thy needless fear. 



PEOMISES AND COUNTERSIGNS. 49 



Thou see'st our weakness, Lord, 
Our hearts are known to thee : 

0, lift thou up the sinking hand, 
Confirm the feeble knee ! 

Let us in life, in death, 

Thy steadfast truth declare, 

And publish with our latest breath 
Thy love, and guardian care. 



TEMPORAL MERCIES. 

One by one, bright gifts from heaven, 
Joys are sent thee here below ; 

Take them readily when given, 
Ready too, to let them go. 

Promise. So shalt thou dwell in the land, 
and verily thou shalt be fed. For thou 
shalt eat the labour of thine hands : happy 
shalt thou be, and it shall be well with 
thee. — Psa. xxxvii. 3 ; cxxviii. 2. 

Countersign I have said that I would 

5 



50 HEAVENLY WATCHWORDS; OR 

keep thy words. I thought on my ways 
and turned my feet unto thy testimonies. 
I have inclined mine heart to perform thy 
statutes always even unto the end. — Psa. 
cxix. 57, 59, il2. 

Proof. Seek ye first the kingdom of God, 
and his righteousness, and all these things 
shall be added unto you. I have been 
young, and now am old : yet have I not 
seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed 
begging bread. The young lions do lack 
and suffer hunger : but they that seek the 
Lord shall not w T ant any good thing. He 
thatwalketh righteously, and speaketh up- 
rightly ; he that despiseth the gain of op- 
pressions, that shaketh his hands from 
holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears 
from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes 
from seeing evil ; he shall dwell on high : 
his place of defence shall be the munitions 
of rocks : bread shall be given him ; his 
waters shall be sure. — Matt. vi. 33 ; Psa. 
xxxvii. 25 ; xxxiv. 10 ; Isa. xxxiii. 15, 16. 

All as God wills, who wisely heeds 
To give or to withhold. 



PROMISES ANI) COUNTERSIGNS. 

And knoweth more of all my needs 
Than all my prayers have told ! 

Enough that blessings undeserved 
Have marked my erring track, — 

That wheresoe'er my feet have swerved 
His chastening turned me back ; — 

That more and more a Providence 

Of love is understood, 
Making the springs of time and sense 

Rich with eternal good ; — 

That death seems but a covered way 

Which opens into light, 
Wherein no blinded child can stray 

Beyond the Father's sight ; — 

That care and trial seem at last 
Through memory's sunset air, 

Like mountain ranges over past, 
In purple distance fair ; — 

That all the jarring notes of life 

Seem blending in a psalm, 
And all the angles of its strife, 

Slow rounding into calm. 



52 heavenly watchwords; or 

'No longer forward nor behind 

I look in hope or fear, 
But grateful take the good I find, 

The best of now and here. 



PROMISE TO THE BACKSLIDING, 

Wash me and dry these bitter tears ; 

0 let my heart no further roam, 
"lis thine by vows, and hopes, and fears, 

Long since — 0 call thy wanderer home, 
To that dear home, safe in thy wounded 
side, 

Where only broken hearts their sin and 
shame may hide. 

Promise. I will heal their backsliding ; I 
will love them freely. — Hosea xiv. 4. 

Countersign. Behold I am vile; what 
shall I answer thee ? — Take away all ini- 
quity and receive us graciously. — Job xl. 
4 ; Hosea xiv. 2. 



PROMISES AND COUNTERSIGNS. 53 



Proof. Turn ye unto me, saith the Lord 
of hosts, and I will turn unto you. — Zech. 
i. 3. 

Jesus, let thy pitying eye 

Call back a wandering sheep ; 
False to thee, like Peter, I 

Would fain, like Peter, weep ; 
Let me be by grace restored, 

To me all its freeness shown, 
Turn and look upon me, Lord, 

And break my heart of stone. 

Saviour, Prince, enthroned above, 

Repentance to impart, 
Give me, through thy dying love, 

The humble, contrite heart. 
This I should have long implored, 

For thou all my sin hast known ; 
Turn and look upon me, Lord, 

And break my heart of stone. 

See me, Saviour, from above, 

Nor suffer me to die ; 
Life and happiness and love 

Fall from thy gracious eye : 

5 * 



54 HEAVENLY WATCHWORDS; OR 

Speak the reconciling word, 
Let thy mercy melt me down ; 

Turn and look upon me. Lord, 
And break my heart of stone. 



ABSENT FRIENDS. 

Prayer shall a vast triangle form, 

On whose broad base we still shall meet; 

And whose high top surmounts each storm, 
And joins us at the Saviour's feet. 

The Assurance. Farewell, — the Grod of 
love and peace shall be with you. — 2 Cor. 
xiii. 11. 

Countersign. The Lord watch between me 
and thee, when we are absent the one from 
the other. For he is our Grod ; and we are 
the people of his pasture, and the sheep of 
his hands. — Gen. xxxi. 49 ; Tsa. xcv. 7. 

Proof. The Lord will bless his people 
with peace. He blesseth the habitation of 



PROMISES AND COUNTERSIGNS. 55 



the just. For the Lord will not cast off 
his people, neither will he forsake his in- 
heritance. — Psa. xxix, 11 ; Prov. iii. 33 ; 
Psa. xciv. 14. 

When far from the friends where our fond- 
est thoughts centre, 
Denied for a time their loved presence 
to share, 

'Tis sweet to unite, when the closet we enter, 
And hold blest communion together in 
prayer. 

0, fondly I thinly as night's curtains sur- 
round them, 
The Gruardian of Israel them tenderly 
keeps : 

The angels of light are encamping around 
them, 

They are watched by the eye that ne'er 
slumbers nor sleeps. 

When the voice of the morning once more 
shall awake them, 
And summon them forth to the calls of 
the day, 



56 HEAVENLY WATCHWOKDS; OR 



I will think of that Friend who will never 
forsake them, 
That Friend ever near, though all else 
be away. 

Then why should one thought of anxiety 
seize us, 

Though distance divide us from those 
that we love? 
They rest in the covenant mercy of Jesus, 
Their prayers meet with ours in the man- 
sions above. 

0 sweet bond of friendship ! whate'er may 
betide us, 

Though on life's stormy billows our bark 
may be driven, 
Though distance, or trial, or death may 
divide us, 
Eternal reunion awaits us in heaven. 



PKOMISES AND COUNTEKSIGNS. 57 



CHRIST'S SPECIAL PRESENCE IN WOR- 
SHIP. 

GrOD in his earthly temple lays 
Foundations for his heavenly praise ; 
He likes the tents of Jacob well, 
But still in Zion loves to dwell. 
His mercy visits every house 
That pays its night and morning vows ; 
But makes a more delightful stay 
Where churches meet to praise and pray. 

Promise. In all places where I record my 
name, I will come unto thee, and I will 
bless thee. "Where two or three are 
gathered together in my name, there am I 
in the midst of them. — Ex. xx. 24 ; Matt. 
xviii. 20. 

Countersign. Come ye and let us go up to 
the mountain of the Lord, to the house of 
the God of Jacob ; and he will teach us of 



58 HEAVENLY WATCHWORDS; OR 



his ways, and we will walk in his paths. — 
lsa. ii. 3. 

Proof. Draw nigh to God, and he will 
draw nigh to you. — James iv. 8. 

Come to Bethesda's pool, 

All ye who need it ; 
Let not its waters cool 

Sparkle unheeded : 
Here bring each grief and pain ; 
Here bring each sinful stain ; 
Here wash the vilest clean — 

Come, all who need it. 

Is there one impotent 

On its brink lying ? 
Is there one penitent, 

Bitterly sighing ? — 
Courage, thou helpless one ; 

Quick to the fountain come, 
Here Grod's eternal Son 

Raiseth the dying. 

jSTow, hoiy Messenger, 
Over us bending, 



PROMISES AND COUNTERSIGNS. 59 



Come, every bosom stir, 

Kindly descending ; 
While in this temple we 
Offer our praise to thee, 
Here let thy presence be, 
Aiding, defending. 



PROMISE FOR TIME OF TROUBLE. 

Weep not — Jesus cares for thee, 

Then what of good can fail ? 
Why shouldst thou thus gloomily 
At thought of trouble quail? 
He will bear 
All thy care ; 
And if he the burden take, 
He will all things perfect make. 

Promise. Fear thou not ; for I am with 
thee : be not dismayed ; for I am thy God : 
I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help 
thee ; yea, I will uphold thee with the 
right hand of my righteousness. When 



60 HEAVENLY WATCHWORDS; OR 

thou passest through, the waters, I will be 
with thee, and through the rivers, they 
shall not overflow thee : when thou walkest 
through the fire, thou shalt not be burned ; 
neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. — 
Isa. xli. 10 ; xliii. 2. 

Countersign. I will go in the strength of 
the Lord Grod : I will make mention of thy 
righteousness, even of thine only. — Psalm 
lxxi. 16. 

Proof. Thou wilt keep him in perfect 
peace, whose mind is stayed on thee ; be- 
cause he trusteth in thee. — Isa. xxvi. 3. 

Father, I am so lonely, 

0 comfort me ! 

Thou hast the power only, 

1 trust in thee. 

Thou makest day and night, 

0 let me see 
Thy hand as it shadeth 

The light from me. 

Through this dark sorrow 
That blindeth me, 



PEOMISES AND COUNTEESIGNS. 

I wait for the morrow 

Which findeth thee. 
I know thou wilt come 

When thou thinkest best ; 
And watching, and hoping. 

And trusting — I rest. 

Father, I am so weary ; 

0 let me rest 
Upon thine everlasting arm, 

Close to thy breast. 
0 calm the restless beatings 

Of this heart so wild, 
Speak, in thy power and pity 

Peace to thy child. 

0 give me patience, Father, 

Thou who so patient art ; 
And let thy Holy Spirit 

Breathe on my heart. 
Then shall its pulses beat 

Calmly and free, 
And I shall have rest 

For eternity. 



62 heavenly watchwords; or 



THE MOURNER'S GAIN. 

Lord, I would, I do submit, 

Grladly yield my all to thee ; 
What thy wisdom sees most fit 

Must be surely best for me. 
Only when the way is rough, 

And the inward flesh would start, 
Let thy promise and thy love 

Cheer and animate my heart. 

The Assurance. For our light affliction, 
which is but for a moment, worketh out for 
us a far more exceeding and eternal weight 
of glory. — 2 Cor. iv. 17. 

Countersign. Come and let us return unto 
the Lord: for he hath torn, and he will 
heal us ; he hath smitten, and he will bind 
us up. It is good for me that I have been 
afflicted ; that I might learn thy statutes. 
Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him. 
— Rosea vi. 1 ; Psa. cxix. 71 ; Job xiii. 15. 



PKOMISES AND COUNTEKSIGNS. 63 

Proof. JSTow no chastening for the present 
seemeth to be joyous, but grievous : never- 
theless it yieldeth the peaceable fruits of 
righteousness to them which are exercised 
thereby. — Heb. xii. 5, 11. 

How weary and how worthless this life at 

times appears ; 
"What days of heavy musings, what hours 

of bitter tears ! 
How dark the storm clouds gather along 

the wintry skies ! 
How desolate and cheerless the path before 

us lies ! 

And yet these days of dreariness are sent 
us from above : 

They do not come in anger, but in faithful- 
ness and love ; 

They come to teach us lessons which bright 
ones could not yield, 

And to leave us blest and thankful, when 
their purpose is fulfilled. 

They come to draw us nearer to our Father 

and our Lord, 
More earnestly to seek his face, to listen to 

his word ; 



64 HEAVENLY WATCHWORDS; OR 

And to feel if now around us a desert land 

we see, 

Without the star of promise, what would 
its darkness be ! 

They come to lay us lowly, and humbled 
in the dust, 

All self-deception swept away, all creature- 
hope and trust ; 

Our helplessness, our vileness, our guilti- 
ness to own, 

And flee for hope and refuge, to Christ, 
and Christ alone. 

They come to break the fetters which here 

detain us fast, 
And force our long reluctant hearts to rise 

to heaven at last ; 
And brighten every prospect of that eternal 

home, 

Where grief, and disappointment, and fear 
can never come. 

Then turn not in despondence, poor weary 

heart, away, 
But meekly journey onwards, through the 

dark and cloudy day ; 



PROMISES AND COUNTERSIGNS. 65 



Even now the bow of promise is above thee 

painted bright, 
And soon a joyful morning shall dissipate 

the night. 

Thy Grod hath not forgot thee, and, when 
he sees it best, 

"Will lead thee into sunshine, will give thee 
bowers of rest ; 

And all thy pain and sorrow, when the pil- 
grimage is o'er, 

Shall end in heavenly blessedness and joys 
for evermore ! 



UNMINGLED GOOD. 

0, that to me, life's changes, 

Did thus with blessings come ! 
That mercies might, like gales of spring, 

Cause some new grace to bloom ; 
And that the storm, that scattereth 

Each earth-born hope abroad, 
Might anchor those of holier birth 

More firmly on their God. 

6 * 



66 HEAVENLY WATCHWOEDS; OR 

Promise. There shall no evil befall thee. 
All things are for your sakes. — Psa. xci. 10; 
2 Cor. iv. 15. 

Countersign. Lord, thou knowest that I 
love thee. — John xxi. 16. 

Proof. All things work together for good 
to them that love Grod. — Bom. viii. 28. 

Father, I know that all my life 

Is portioned out for me ; 
And the changes, that will surely come, 

I do not fear to see : 
But I ask thee for a thoughtful mind, 

Intent on pleasing thee. 

I ask thee for a thoughtful love, 
Through constant watching, wise, 

To meet the glad with joyful smiles, 
And wipe the weary eyes : 

And a heart, at leisure from itself, 
To soothe and sympathize. 

I would not have the restless will, 
That hurries to and fro, 



PROMISES AND COUNTERSIGNS. 

Seeking for some great thing to do, 

Or secret thing to know. 
I would be treated like a child, 

And guided where I go. 

Wherever in the world I am, 

In whatsoe'er estate, 
I have a fellowship with hearts, 

To keep and cultivate : 
And a work of lowly love to do, 

For the Lord on whom I wait. 

So I ask thee for the daily strength, 

To none that ask denied ; 
And a mind to blend with outward life, 

While keeping at thy side ; 
Content to fill a little space, 

If thou be glorified. 

And if some things I do not ask, 

In my cup of blessing be, 
I would have my spirit filled the more 

With grateful love to thee. 
And careful less to serve thee much 

Than to please thee perfectly. 



68 HEAVENLY WATCH WOKDS; OR 

There are briers besetting every path, 

Which call for patient care ; 
There is a cross in every lot, 

And a need for earnest prayer ; 
But the trusting heart, that leans on thee, 

Is happy any where. 

In a service, which thy love appoints, 

There are no bonds for me ; 
And my secret heart is taught the truth, 

Which makes thy children free ; 
And a life of self-renouncing love 

Is a life of liberty. 



A SHORT JOURNEY. 

How happily the working days 

In this dear service fly ! 
How rapidly the closing hour, 

The time of rest draws nigh ! 
When all the faithful gather home, 

A joyful company, 
And ever where the Master is, 

Shall his blest servants be ! 



PROMISES AKD COUNTERSIGNS. 69 

Promise. I will not leave you comfortless : 
I will come to you. For yet a little while 
and he that shall come will come, and will 
not tarry. — John xiv. 18 ; Heb. x. 37. 

Countersign. I am a companion of all 
them that fear thee. 0 magnify the Lord 
with me, and let us exalt his name together. 
I will bless the Lord at all times; his 
praise shall continually be in my mouth. — 
Psa. cxix. 63 ; xxxiv. 3. 

Proof. They that feared the Lord spake 
often one to another : and the Lord heark- 
ened, and heard it, and a book of remem- 
brance was written before him for them 
that feared the Lord, and that thought 
upon his name. And they shall be mine, 
saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when 
I make up my jewels ; and I will spare 
them, as a man spareth his own son that 
serveth him. Now is our salvation nearer 
than when we believed. The night is far 
spent, the day is at hand. — MaL iii. 16, 17 ; 
Mom. xiii. 11, 12. 

One sweetly solemn thought 
Comes to me o'er and o'er ; 



70 HEAVENLY WATCH WOKDS; OR 

I'm nearer home to-day 
Than I've ever been before : 

Nearer my Father's house 

Where the many mansions be ; 

Nearer the great white throne, 
Nearer the jasper sea: 

Nearer the bound of life, 

Where we lay our burdens down ; 
Nearer leaving the cross ; 

Nearer wearing the crown. 

But lying darkly between, 

Winding down through the night, 

Is the dim and unknown stream, 
Which leads me at last to the light. 

Closer, closer, my steps 

Come to the dark abysm ; 
Closer, death to my lips 

Presses the awful chrism. 

Father, perfect my trust ; 

Strengthen the might of my faith ; 
Let me feel, as I would when I stand 

On the rock of the shore of death : — 



PEOMISES AND COUNTERSIGNS. 71 

Let me feel, as I would when my feet 
Are slipping o'er the brink ; — 

For it may be I'm nearer home, 
Nearer now than I think. 



PROMISE TO THE SICK. 

Thou who didst sit on Jacob's well, 

The weary hour of noon, 
The languid pulses thou canst tell, 

The nerveless spirit tune. 
From darkness, here, and dreariness, 

We ask not full repose, 
Only be thou at hand, to bless 

Our trial hour of woes. 

Promise. The Lord will strengthen him 
upon the bed of languishing: thou wilt 
make all his bed in his sickness. — Psa. xli. 
3. 

Countersign. I delivered the poor that 
cried, and the fatherless, and him that had 



72 HEAVENLY WATCH WOEDS; OE 

none to help him. The blessing of him 
that was ready to perish came upon me: 
and I caused the widow's heart to sing for 
joy. — Job xxix. 12, 13. 

Proof. Blessed is he that considereth the 
poor : the Lord will deliver him in time of 
trouble. The Lord will preserve him, and 
keep him alive; and he shall be blessed 
upon the earth. (In connection with the 
third verse.) — Psa. xli. 1, 2. 

For what shall I praise thee, my God and 
my King ? 

For what blessings the tribute of gratitude 
bring ? 

Shall I praise thee for plenty, for health 

and for ease, 
For the spring of delight, and the sunshine 

of peace? 

Shall I praise thee for flowers that bloom'd 
on my breast ? 

For joys in prospective, and pleasures pos- 
sessed ? 



PROMISES AND COUNTERSIGNS. 73 

For the spirits that heightened my days of 
delight, 

And the slumber that sat on my pillow at 
night ? 

For all this should I praise thee, and only 
for this, 

I should leave half unsung thy donation of 
bliss. 

I praise thee for sorrow, for sickness, for 
care ; 

For the thorn I have gathered, the anguish 
I bear. 

For my nights of anxiety, watching, and 
tears ; 

A present of pain, a prospective of fears ; 
I praise thee, I bless thee, my King and 
my God, 

For the good and the evil thy hand hath 
bestowed. 

The flowers were sweet, but their fragrance 
is flown, 

They left me no fruit — they are withered 
and gone : 

7 



74 HEAVENLY WATCH WOEDS; OR 

The thorn, it is poignant, but precious to 
me, 

As the message of mercy that led me to 
thee. 



NO SEPARATION. 

u Loed, I have inly found thee, 

Depart not thou from me ; 
But wrap thy love around me 

And keep me close to thee." 

The Assurance. For I am persuaded, that 
neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor prin- 
cipalities, nor powers, nor things present, 
nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, 
nor any other creature, shall be able to 
separate us from the love of Grod, which is 
in Christ Jesus our Lord. — Bom. viii. 38, 
39. 

Countersign. My beloved is the chiefest 
among ten thousand. His mouth is most 



PEOMISES AND COUNTEESIGNS. 75 

sweet: yea, he is altogether lovely. — Song 
of Solomon, v. 10, 12. 

Proof. I love them that love me. The 
gifts and calling of God are without repent- 
ance. — Prov. viii. 17 ; Bom. xi. 29. 

Forsake me not, my God, 

Thou Grod of my salvation ! 
Give me thy light, to be 

My sure illumination. 
My soul to folly turns, 

Seeking she knows not what; 
Oh ! lead her to thyself — 

My Grod, forsake me not ! 

Forsake me not, my God ! 

Take not thy Spirit from me ; 
And suffer not the might 

Of sin to overcome me. 
A father pitieth 

The children he begot ; 
My Father, pity me — 

My Grod, forsake me not ! 

Forsake me not, my God ! 
Thou God of life and power. 



76 HEAVENLY watchwords; or 

Enliven, strengthen me 

In every evil hour ; 
And when the sinful fire 

Within my heart is hot, 
Be not thou far from me — 

My God, forsake me not ! 

Forsake me not, my God 

Uphold me in my going, 
That evermore I may 

Please thee in all well-doing ; 
And that thy will, 0 Lord ! 

May never be forgot 
In all my works and ways, 

My God, forsake me not ! 

Forsake me not, my God ! 

I would be thine for ever ; 
Confirm me mightily 

In every right endeavour : 
And when my hour is come, 

Cleansed from all stain and spot 
Of sin, receive my soul — 

My God, forsake me not ! 



PROMISES AND COUNTERSIGNS. 77 



DYING GRACE. 

Jesus, to thy dear faithful hand, 

My naked soul I trust ; 
And my flesh waits for thy command, 

To drop into the dust. 

Promise. At evening time it shall be light. 
— ZecJi. xiv. 7. 

Countersign. Search me, 0 God, and know 
my heart : try me, and know my thoughts: 
And see if there be any wicked way in me, 
and lead me in the way everlasting. — Psa. 
cxxxix. 23, 24. 

Proof. The righteous hath hope in his 
death. Mark the perfect man, and behold 
the upright: for the end of that man is 
peace. — Prov. xiv. 32 ; Psa. xxxvii. 37. 

I would not live alway — live alway below ! 
0 no, I'll not linger, when bidden to go. 

7* 



4 



78 HEAVENLY WATCHWORDS; OR 



The days of our pilgrimage granted us here, 
Are enough for life's woes, full enough for 
its cheer. 

Would I shrink from the path which the 
prophets of Grod, 

Apostles and martyrs, so joyfully trod? 

When brethren and friends are all hasten- 
ing home, 

Like a spirit unblest o'er the earth would 
I roam ? 

I would not live alway — I ask not to stay, 
Where storm after storm rises dark o'er 
the way ; 

Where seeking for peace, we but hover 
around, 

Like the patriarch's bird, and no resting is 
found : 

Where hope, when she paints her gay bow 
in the air, 

Leaves its brilliance to fade in the night of 
despair, 

And joy's fleeting angel ne'er sheds a glad 
ray, 

Save the gleam of the plumage that bears 
him away. 



PEOMISES AND COUNTEKSIGJSTS. 79 

I would not live alway — thus fettered by 
sin ; 

Temptation without, and corruption within : 
In a moment of strength, if I sever the 
chain, 

Scarce the victory is mine ere I'm captive 
again. 

E'en the rapture of pardon is mingled with 
fears, 

And my cup of thanksgiving with penitent 
tears : 

The festival trump calls for jubilant songs, 
But my spirit her own miserere prolongs. 

I would not live alway — no, welcome the 
tomb ; 

Immortality's lamp burns there bright mid 

the gloom ; 
There, too, is the pillow where Christ bowed 

his head ; 

Oh! soft are the slumbers on that holy 
bed. 

And then the glad dawn soon to follow that 
night, 

"When the sunrise of glory shall beam on 
my sight, 



80 HEAVENLY WATCHWORDS; OR 

When the full matin song, as the sleepers 
arise, 

To shout in the morning, shall peal through 
the skies. 

Who, who would live alway, away from his 
God, 

Away from yon heaven, that blissful abode, 
Where the rivers of pleasure flow o'er the 

bright plains, 
And the noontide of glory eternally reigns : 
Where the saints of all ages in harmony 

meet, 

Their Saviour and brethren transported to 
greet, 

While the songs of salvation unceasingly 
roll, 

And the smile of the Lord is the feast of 
the soul ? 

That heavenly music ! what is it I hear ? 
The notes of the harpers ring sweet in the 
air : 

And see, soft unfolding those portals of 
gold, 

The King all arrayed in his beauty behold! 



PROMISES AND COUNTERSIGNS. 81 

0 ! give me, 0 ! give me the wings of a 
dove ! 

Let me hasten my flight to those mansions 
above : 

Aye, 'tis now that my soul on swift pinions 

would soar, 
And in ecstasy bid earth adieu evermore. 



HEAVEN IMMEDIATELY AFTER DEATH. 

Tell me not of the narrow bed, 

'Tis sad and drear to me ; 
Tell me not of the peaceful dead, 

And their sleep from memory free ; — 
But tell me of their living rest, 

Far, far from this earthly scene, 
And tell me too of Jesus' breast, 

The place on which they lean. 

Promise, (in the hour of death.) To-day 
shalt thou be with me in paradise. — Luke 
xxiii. 43. 



82 HEAVENLY WATCHWOEDS; OR 

Countersign. Into thine hand I commit 
my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O 
Lord Grod of truth. For I know whom I 
have believed, and am persuaded that he 
is able to keep that which I have committed 
unto him against that day. — Psa. xxxi. 5 ; 
2 Tim. i. 12. 

Proof. Let not your heart be troubled: 
ye believe in Grod, believe also in me. In 
my Father's house are many mansions : — 
I go to prepare a place for you. I will 
come again and receive you unto myself. — 
John xiv. 1-3. 

In vain my fancy strives to paint 

The moment after death ; 
The glories that surround the saint, 

When yielding up his breath. 

One gentle sigh his fetters break, 
We scarce can say, " He's gone !" 

Before the willing spirit takes 
Her mansion near the throne. 

Faith strives, but all its efforts fail, 
To trace the spirit's flight ; 



PKOMISES AND COUNTEKSIGNS. 83 

"No eye can pierce within the veil, 
Which hides the world of light. 

Thus much (and this is all) we know, 

They are completely blest ; 
Have done with sin and care and woe, 

And with their Saviour rest. 



AN ABUNDANT ENTRANCE. 

Theee no stranger, Grod shall meet thee, 
Stranger thou, in courts above ; 

He, who to his rest, shall greet thee, 
Greets thee with a well-known love. 

Promise. For so an entrance shall be 
ministered unto you abundantly into the 
everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Sa- 
viour, Jesus Christ. — 2 Pet. i. 11. 

Countersign. I have remembered thy 
name, 0 Lord, in the night, and have kept 
thy law. I entreated thy favour with my 
w r hole heart : be merciful unto me accord- 



84 HEAVENLY WATCHWORDS; OR 

ing to thy word. Teach me, 0 Lord, the 
way of thy statutes ; and I shall keep it 
unto the end. — Psa. cxix. 55, 58, 33. 

Proof. Give diligence to make your call- 
ing and election sure: for if ye do these 
things ye shall never fall. (In connection 
with the eleventh verse.) — 2 Pet. i. 10. 

Deathless principle, arise ; 
Soar, thou native of the skies ; 
Pearl of price, by Jesus bought, 
To his glorious likeness wrought, 
Go to shine before his throne ; 
Deck his mediatorial crown ; 
Go, his triumphs to adorn ; 
Made for God, to God return. 

Lo, he beckons from on high ! 
Fearless to his presence fly ; 
Thine the merit of his blood, 
Thine the righteousness of God. 
Angels, joyful to attend, 
Hovering round thy pillow bend ; 
"Wait to catch the signal given, 
And escort thee quick to heaven. 



PEOMISES AND COUNTEKSIGIN'S. 



Is thy earthly house distrest, 
Willing to retain her guest ? 
'Tis not thou, but she, must die : 
Fly, celestial tenant, fly ; 
Burst thy shackles, drop thy clay, 
Sweetly breathe thyself away ; 
Singing, to thy crown remove, 
Swift of wing and fired with love. 

Shudder not to pass the stream : 
Venture all thy care on him ; 
Him, whose dying love and power 
Stilled its tossing, hushed its roar. 
Safe is the expanded wave, 
Gentle as a summer's eve ; 
Not one object of his care, 
Ever suffered shipwreck there. 

See the haven full in view ; 

Love divine shall bear thee through 

Trust to that propitious gale ; 

Weigh thy anchor, spread thy sail. 

Saints in glory, perfect made, 

Wait thy passage through the shade, 

Ardent for thy coming o'er, 

See, they throng the blissful shore. 

8 



86 HEAVENLY WATCHWOEDS; OK 

Mount, their transports to improve ; 
Join the longing choirs above ; 
Swiftly to their wish be given, 
Kindle higher joy in heaven. 
Such the prospects that arise 
To the dying Christian's eyes ! 
Such the glorious vista, Faith 
Opens through the shades of death. 



GOD, OUR SATISFYING PORTION. p 

God is my all-sufficient good, 

My portion, and my choice ; 
In him my vast desires are filled, 

And all my powers rejoice. 

Promise. Fear not, — I am thy shield, and 
thy exceeding great reward. — Gen. xv. L 

Countersign. Thou art my portion, 0 
Lord. — Psa. cxix. 57. 

Proof. Because he hath set his love upon 
me, therefore will I deliver him : 1 will set 



PROMISES AND COUNTERSIGNS. 87 

him on high, because he hath known my 
name. I will be with him in trouble ; I 
I will deliver him, and honour him. With 
long life w r ill I satisfy him, and show him 
my salvation. — Psa. xci. 14r-16. 

Jesus, I my cross have taken, 

All to leave and follow thee, 
Naked, poor, despised, forsaken, 

Thou from hence, my all shalt be. 
Perish every fond ambition, 

All I've sought, or hoped, or known ; 
Yet how rich is my condition, 

Grod and heaven are still my own ! 

Let the world despise and leave me, 

They have left my Saviour too : 
Human hearts and looks deceive me, 

Thou art not like them untrue ; 
And whilst thou shalt smile upon me, 

Grod of wisdom, love, and might, 
Foes may hate, and friends may scorn me ; 

Show thy face and all is bright. 

Go then, earthly fame and treasure, 
Come disaster, scorn, and pain, 



88 HEAVENLY WATCHWORDS; OR 

In thy service, pain is pleasure, 
With thy favour, loss is gain. 

I have called thee, "Abba, Father," 
I have set my heart on thee ; 

Storms may howl, and clouds may gather, 
All must work for good to me. 

Man may trouble and distress me, 

'Twill but drive me to thy breast ; 
Life with trials hard may press me, 

Heaven will bring me sweeter rest. 
0 'tis not in grief to harm me, 

While thy bleeding love I see ; 
0 'twere not in joy to charm me, 

Were that joy unmixed with thee. 

Soul, then know thy full salvation, 

Rise o'er sin, and fear, and care ; 
Joy to find in every station, 

Something still to do or bear. 
Think what Spirit dwells within thee ; 

Think what Father's smiles are thine ; 
Think that Jesus died to win thee ; — 

Child of heaven, canst thou repine ? 

Haste thee on from grace to glory, 

Armed by faith, and winged by prayer 



PROMISES AND COUNTERSIGNS. 89 

Heaven's eternal day 's before thee, 
God's own hand shall guide thee there. 

Soon shall close thine earthly mission ; 
Soon shall pass thy pilgrim days, — 

Hope shall change to glad fruition, 
Faith to sight, and prayer to praise. 



THE LORD'S JOY IN US. 

On thee and thine, thy warfare and thine 
end, 

Even in this hour of agony, He thought. 

Thou art as much his care, as if beside, 
Nor man nor angel lived in heaven or 
earth : 

Thus sunbeams pour alike their glorious 
tide, 

To light up worlds, or wake an insect's 
mirth. 

Promise. The Lord thy God in the midst 
of thee is mighty; he will save, he will 

8* 



90 HEAVENLY WATCHWOKDS; OR 

rejoice over thee with joy ; he will rest in 
his love, he will joy over thee with singing. 
— ZephaniaJi iii. 17. 

Countersign. I flee unto thee to hide me. 
Because thou hast been my help, therefore 
in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice. 
— Psa. cxliii. 9 ; lxiii. 7. 

Proof. The Lord taketh pleasure in them 
that fear him, in those that hope in his 
mercy. — Psa. cxlvii. 11. 

"Why should we faint and fear to live alone, 
Since all alone, so heaven has willed, we 
die? 

Nor even the tenderest heart, and next our 
own, 

Knows half the reasons why we smile 
and sigh. 

* * * * * 

And well it is for us our Grod should feel 
Alone our secret throbbings: so our 
prayer 

May readier spring to heaven, nor spend 
its zeal 

On cloud-born idols of this lower air. 



PROMISES AND COUNTERSIGNS. 91 

Thou know'st our bitterness — our joys are 
thine — 

No stranger thou to all our wanderings 
wild : 

Nor could we bear to think, how every line 
Of us, thy darkened likeness and defiled, 

Stands in full sunshine of thy piercing eye, 
But that thou call'st us brethren : sweet 
repose 

Is in that word — the Lord who dwells on 
high, 

Knows all, yet loves us better than he 
knows. 



NO MORE MOURNING. 

There no sigh of memory swelleth, 
There no tear of misery welleth ; 

Hearts will bleed or break no more : 
Past is all this cold world's scorning, 
Gone the night, and dawned the morning 

Over all the golden shore. 



92 HEAVENLY watchwords; or 

Promise. And there shall be no more 
curse : And there shall be no night there ; 
and they need no candle, neither the light 
of the sun ; for the Lord God giveth them 
light. And Grod shall wipe away all tears 
from their eyes ; and there shall be no more 
death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither 
shall there be any more pain : for the former 
things are passed away. — Rev. xxii. 3, 5 ; 
xxi. 4. 

Countersign. Ourselves also, which have 
the first fruits of the Spirit, even we our- 
selves groan within ourselves, waiting for 
the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our 
body. — Rom. viii. 23. 

Proof. Blessed are they that mourn : for 
they shall be comforted. If we suffer, we 
shall also reign with him. And he that 
taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, 
is not worthy of me. — Matt. v. 4 ; 2 Tim. 
ii. 12 ; Matt. x. 38. 

No sickness there, — 
No weary wasting of the frame away, 



PEOMISES AND COUNTERSIGNS. 93 



No fearful shrinking from the midnight 
air, 

No dread of summer's bright and fervid 
ray. 

No hidden grief, 
No wild and cheerless vision of despair, 

No vain petition for a swift relief, 
No tearful eyes, no broken hearts are there. 

Care has no home 
Within the realm of ceaseless prayer and 
song; 

Its billows break and melt away in foam 
Far from the mansions of the spirit throng. 

The storm's black wing 
Is never spread athwart celestial skies ; 
Its waitings blend not with the voice of 
spring, 

As some too tender floweret fades and 
dies. 

No night distils 
Its chilling dews upon the tender frame ; 



94 HEAVENLY watchwords; oh 

No morn is needed there. The light 
which fills 
That land of glory, from its Maker came. 

No parted friends 
O'er mournful recollections have to weep ; 

No bed of death enduring love attends, 
To watch the "coming of a pulseless sleep. 

No blasted flower 
Or withered bud, celestial gardens know ; 
No scorching blast or fierce descending 
shower, 

Scatters destruction like a ruthless foe. 

No battle word 
Startles the sacred host with fear and dread ; 
The song of peace creation's morning 
heard, 

Is sung wherever angel minstrels tread. 

Let us depart, 
If home like this await the weary soul, 
Look up, thou stricken one ! Thy wounded 
heart, 

Shall bleed no more at sorrow's stern con- 
trol. 



PROMISES AND COUNTERSIGNS. 95 

With Faith our guide, 
White-robed and innocent, to lead the way, 
Why fear to plunge in Jordan's rolling 
tide, 

And find the ocean of eternal day ? 



FULNESS OF JOY, AND PLEASURES FOR 
EVERMORE. 

Far out of sight, while yet the flesh enfolds 
us, 

Lies the fair country where our hearts 
abide : 

And of its bliss is naught more wondrous 
told us, 

Than these few words, " I shall be satisfied." 

Promise. And I heard a great voice out 
of heaven, saying, Behold, the tabernacle 
of God is with men, and he will dwell with 
them, and they shall be his people, and 
G-od himself shall be with them, and be 
their God. And the throne of God and of 



96 HEAVENLY WATCHWORDS; OR 

the Lamb shall be in it ; and his servants 
shall serve him : And they shall see his 
face ; and his name shall be in their fore- 
heads. The Lamb which is in the midst 
of the throne shall feed them, and shall 
lead them unto living fountains of waters : 
And they shall reign for ever and ever. — 
Bev. xxi. 3 ; Sxii. 3, 4 ; vii. 17 ; xxii. 5. 

Countersign. Lord, thou knowest all 
things, thou knowest that I love thee. — 
John xxi. 17. 

Proof. Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, 
neither have entered into the heart of man, 
the things which God hath prepared for 
them that love him. — 1 Cor. ii. 9. 

There is a holy city, 

A happy world above, 
Beyond the starry regions, 

Built by the Grod of love : 
An everlasting temple, 

And saints, arrayed in white, 
Who serve their great Redeemer, 

And dwell with him in light. 



PROMISES AND COUNTERSIGNS. 

The meanest child of glory 

Outshines the radiant sun ; 
But who can speak the splendor 

Of Jesus on the throne? 
There now he sits exalted, 

Who hung upon the tree, 
The elders fall before him, 

The angels bend the knee. 

Is this the man of sorrow, 

Who stood at Pilate's bar, 
Condemned by haughty Herod, 

And by his men of war ? 
Lo ! now the mighty Conqueror, 

Who spoiled the powers below, 
And ransomed many captives 

From everlasting woe. 

The hosts of saints around him 

Redeeming grace adore ; 
Recount their toils and conflicts, 

And tell their sufferings o'er ; 
Then turn and bow to Jesus, 

Who brought them on their way, 
From earthly tribulation 

To everlasting day. 



98 HEAVENLY WATCHWORDS; OR 



A PLACE WHERE JESUS IS. 

Christ is their shade, and Christ their sun, 
Among them walks the King. 

Whose presence is eternal noon, — 
Whose smile eternal spring. 

Promise. I go to prepare a place for you. 
■ — I will come again and receive you unto 
myself, that where I am, there ye may be 
also. — John xiv. 2, 3. 

Countersign. And herein do I exercise 
myself, to have always a conscience void 
of offence toward Grod, and toward men. 
Not as though I had already attained, either 
were already perfect ; but I follow after, if 
that I may apprehend that for which I am 
apprehended of Christ Jesus. Forgetting 
the things which are behind, and reaching 
forth unto those things which are before, I 
press toward the mark for the prize of the 
high calling of Grod in Christ Jesus — That 



PROMISES AND COUNTEKSIGjN'S. 99 

I may win Christ, and be found in him, not 
having mine own righteousness, which is 
of the law, but that which is through the 
faith of Christ. — Acts xxiv. 16; Phil. iii. 
12, 13, 8, 9. 

Proof. Who shall ascend into the hill of 
the Lord ? or who shall stand in his holy 
place ? He that hath clean hands and a 
pure heart. Every man that hath this hope 
in him, purifieth himself even as also he is 
pure. — Psa. xxiv. 3, 4 ; 1 John iii. 3. 

Let me be with thee where thou art, 
Thy unveiled glory to behold, 

Then only shall this wandering heart 
Cease to be false to thee and cold. 

Let me be with thee where thou art, 
Where spotless saints thy name adore, 

Then only shall this sinful heart 
Be evil and defiled no more. 

Let me be with thee where thou art, 
Where none can die, and none remove, 

Where neither life nor death shall part 
Me from thy presence and thy love. 



100 HEAVENLY WATCHWORDS; OR 



A CROWN OF GLORY. 

Every hour that fleets so slowly 

Has its task to do, or bear ; 
Luminous the crown, and holy 

If thou set each gem with care. 

Promise. When the chief Shepherd shall 
appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory 
that fadeth not away. — 1 Pet. v. 4. 

Countersign. He which testifieth these 
things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen, 
Even so, come, Lord Jesus. — Bev. xxii. 20. 

Proof. A crown of righteousness, which 
the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give 
me at that day : and not to me only, but 
unto all them also that love his appearing. 
—2 Tim. iv. 8. 

From sin's fell yoke I'd shake me free, 
And live henceforth alone to thee, 



PROMISES AND COUNTERSIGNS. 101 

Who for our souls the price hast paid 

Their ransom made — 
And heaven's portals open laid. 

Oh ! Jesus, Saviour ! by thy side 
I'm quite secure whate'er betide ; 
Be with me while life's race I run, 

And when it 's done, 
Place on my brow the crown I've won ! 

And then I'll lay it at thy feet, 
With hallelujahs loud and sweet ! 
On earth I would begin to praise, 

Then higher raise 
My song to thee through endless days. 



WHITE ROBES. 

Helpless and outcast once we lay, 
Worthy thy hate and scorn ; 

But love like thine could find a way 
To rescue and adorn. 

9* 



102 HEAVENLY WATCHWORDS; OR 

Promise. They shall walk with me in 
white. — Bev. iii. 4. 

Countersign. Purge me with hyssop, and 
I shall be clean ; wash me, and I shall be 
whiter than snow. — Psa. li. 7. 

Proof. And white robes were given unto 
every one of them : — These are they which 
— have washed their robes, and made them 
white in the blood of the Lamb. — Bev. vi. 
11 ; viL 14. 

For thee, 0 dear, dear country, 
Mine eyes their vigils keep ; 
For very love, beholding 
Thy happy name, they weep. 
The mention of thy glory 
Is unction to the breast, 
And medicine in sickness, 
And love, and life, and rest. 
O one, 0 only mansion, 
0 Paradise of joy, 
Where tears are ever banished ? 
And joys have no alloy, 



PKOMISES AND COUNTEKSIGNS. 



103 



Beside thy living waters, 
All plants are, great and small, 
The cedar of the forest, 
The hyssop on the wall. 
Thine ageless walls are bounded 
With amethyst unpriced, 
The saints build up the fabric, 
And the corner-stone is Christ. 
Thou hast no shore, fair ocean ! 
Thou hast no time, bright day ! 
Dear Fountain of refreshment 
To pilgrims far away : 
Upon the Rock of Ages 
They raise thy holy tower, 
Thine is the victor's laurel, 
And thine the golden dower. 

5jC # * # 

They stand, those halls of Zion, 
Conjubilant with song, 
And bright with many an angel, 
And many a martyr throng : 
The Prince is ever in them, 
The light is aye serene, 
The pastures of the blessed 
Are decked in glorious sheen. 
There is the throne of David, 
And there from toil released, 



104 HEAVENLY WATCHWOKDS ; OR 

The shout of them that triumph, 
The song of them that feast : 
And they, beneath their leader, 
Who conquered in the fight, 
For ever and for ever, 
Are clad in robes of white. 



THE NEW SONG. 

In the far better land of glory and light, 
The ransomed are singing in garments of 
white, 

The harpers are harping, and all the bright 
train 

Sing the song of redemption — the Lamb 

that was slain. 
Like the sound of the sea swells their chorus 

of praise, 

Round the star-circled crown of the Ancient 
of Days, 

And thrones and dominions re-echo the 
strain — 

Of glory eternal to him that was slain. 



PEOMISES AND COUNTERSIGNS. 105 

Promise. And I heard a voice from hea- 
ven, as the voice of many waters, and as 
the voice of a great thunder : and I heard 
the voice of harpers, harping with their 
harps : and they sung a new song, saying, 
Thou art worthy to take the book, and to 
open the seals thereof : for thou wast slain, 
and hast redeemed us to Grod by thy blood 
out of every kindred, and tongue, and 
people, and nation, and hast made us unto 
our Grod kings and priests : And the ran- 
somed shall return, and come to Zion with 
songs, and everlasting joy shall be upon 
their heads : they shall obtain joy and glad- 
ness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee 
away. — Bev. xiv. 2; v. 9, 10; Isa. xxxv. 
10. 

Countersign. He brought me up also out 
of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and 
set my feet upon a rock, and established 
my goings. And he hath put a new song 
in my mouth, even praise unto our Grod. — 
Unto him that loved us, and washed us 
from our sins in his own blood, and hath 
made us kings and priests unto Grod and 



106 HEAVENLY WATCHWORDS; OR 

his Father ; to him be glory and dominion 
for ever and ever. Amen. — Psa. xl. 2, 3 ; 
Bev. i. 5, 6. 

Proof. And they sung as it were a new 
song before the throne, and before the four 
beasts, and the elders ; and no man could 
learn that song but the hundred and forty 
and four thousand, which were redeemed 
from the earth. — Bev. xiv. 3. 

The angels' song of praise to Grod, 
Swelled on the heavenly plains ; 
And ever to that glorious theme 
They tuned their loudest strains ; 
Archangels sang in chorus loud 

Their song of jubilee ; 
And seraphs tuned their golden lyres 

In sweetest symphony. 
A child of Adam's fallen race, 
A sinner, saved by sovereign grace, 
Drew near to heaven's mercy-seat, 
And prostrate fell at Jesus' feet. 
His only claim to that blest place, 
His Saviour's blood and sacrifice, 



PKOMISES AND COUNTERSIGNS. 

Yet did he glory there, to own 
That he was saved by grace alone. 
He seized a harp of heavenly tone, 
And from each thrilling chord, 
Drew forth such notes of rapture high, 
As swelled through all the upper sky. 
Even Gabriel's tuneful lyre was mute, 
And hushed was Raphael's tone, 
While still the ransomed loudly sung, 

" Saved, saved by grace alone." 
Since then a host of ransomed ones, 
Have thronged the heavenly plains, 
Each, tuning to their Saviour's praise, 
Their loudest, sweetest strains. 
And still the angels strive in vain, 
To catch that glad triumphant strain, 
They never sinned, they never knew, 
What wonders sovereign grace can do. 

But we to all eternity 

Will worship round the throne, 

And the burden of our song shall be 
Saved, saved by grace alone. 



108 HEAVENLY WATCHWOEDS; OB 



THE RESURRECTION PROMISE. 

By long experience, I have known, 

Thy sovereign power to save ; 
At thy command I venture down 

Securely to the grave : 
When I lie buried deep in dust, 

My flesh shall be thy care, 
These withered limbs, with thee, I trust, 

To raise them strong and fair. 

Promise. I will ransom them from the 
power of the grave; I will redeem them 
from death. — Rosea xiii. 14. 

Countersign. Lord, to whom shall we go ? 
thou hast the words of eternal life. I be- 
lieve ; help thou mine unbelief. — John vi. 
68. 

Proof. And this is the will of him that 
sent me, that every one which seeth the 
Son, and believeth on him, may have ever- 



PKOMISES AND COUNTEKSIGNS. 109 

lasting life : and I will raise him up at the 
last day. — For if we believe that Jesus died 
and rose again, even so them also which 
sleep in Jesus will Grod bring with him. 
But every man in his own order ; Christ 
the first fruits ; afterward they that are 
Christ's at his coming. — When he shall ap- 
pear, we shall be like him; for we shall 
see him as he is — Who shall change our vile 
body, that it may be fashioned like unto his 
own glorious body. — And though after my 
skin worms destroy this body, yet in my 
flesh shall I see Grod. — John vi. 40 ; 1 Thess. 
iv. 14; 1 Cor. xv. 23; 1 John iii. 2; Phil, 
iil 21 ; Job xix. 26. 

Oh, the hour when this material 

Shall have vanished like a cloud : 
When amid the wide ethereal, 

All the invisible shall crowd ; 
And the naked soul surrounded 

With realities unknown, 
Triumph in the view unbounded, 

Feel herself with Grod alone. 

In that sudden, strange transition, 
By what new and finer sense, 

10 



110 HEAVENLY WATCHWORDS; OR 

Shall she grasp the mighty vision, 

And receive its influence ? 
Angels guard the new immortal, 

Through the wonder teeming space, 
To the everlasting portal — 

To the Spirit's resting-place. 

Will she, there, no fond emotion, 

Nought of earthly love retain ? 
Or, absorbed in pure devotion, 

Will no mortal trace remain ? 
Can the grave those ties dissever, 

With the very heart-strings twined ? 
Must she part, and part for ever, 

With the friends she leaves behind ? 

No ! the past she still remembers : 

Faith and hope, surviving too, 
Ever watch those sleeping embers, 

Which must rise and live anew : 
For the widowed, lonely spirit, 

Incomplete till clothed afresh, 
Longs perfection to inherit, 

Longs to triumph in the flesh. 

Angels, let the ransomed stranger 
In your tender care be blessed ; 



PEOMISES AND COUNTEKSIGlSrS. Ill 



Hoping, trusting, free from danger, 
Till the trumpet ends her rest : 

Till the trump, which shakes creation, 
Through the circling heavens shall roll ; 

Till the day of consummation, 
Till the bridal of the soul. 

Can I trust a fellow-being ? 

Can I trust an angel's care ? 
0 thou merciful All-seeing ! 

Shine around my spirit there. 
Jesus, blessed Mediator, 

Thou the airy path hast trod : 
Thou the Judge, the Consummator, 

Shepherd of the fold of Grod ! 

Blessed fold ! no foe can enter, 

And no friend departeth thence ; 
Jesus is their Sun, their Centre, 

And their shield — Omnipotence. 
Blessed ! for the Lamb shall feed them ; 

All their tears shall wipe away ; 
To the living fountains lead them, 

Till fruition's perfect day. 

Lo ! it comes — that day of wonder ! 
Louder chorals shake the skies : 



112 HEAVENLY WATCHWOKDS; OR 

Hades' gates are burst asunder ; 

See the new-clothed myriads rise ! 
Thought, repress thy weak endeavour ; 

Here must reason prostrate fall : 
Oh ! the ineffable For-ever — 

And the eternal All-in-all ! 



OPEN ACKNOWLEDGMENT AND ACQUIT- 
TAL IN THE DAY OF JUDGMENT. 

Prepaee me, gracious God, 

To stand before thy face ; 
Thy Spirit must the work perform, 

For it is all of grace. 

Promise. Then shall the King say unto 
them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed 
of my Father, inherit the kingdom pre- 
pared for you from the foundation of the 
world. — Matt. xxv. 34. 

Countersign* According to my earnest 

* For another countersign and proof to this promisej 
see Matt. xxv. 31 — 46, and the countersign at page 71. 



PROMISES AND COUNTERSIGNS. 113 



expectation and my hope, that in nothing 
I shall be ashamed, but that with all bold- 
ness, as always, so now also Christ shall be 
magnified in my body, whether it be by 
life, or by death. — Phil. i. 20. 

Proof. Whosoever shall confess me before 
men, him shall the Son of man also confess 
before the angels of God. — Luke xii. 8. 

Day of wrath, that day of burning, 
All shall melt, to ashes turning, 
As foretold by seers discerning. 

Oh what fear shall it engender, 

When the Judge shall come in splendor, 

Strict to mark and just to render ! 

Trumpet scattering sounds of wonder, 
Rending sepulchres asunder, 
Shall resistless summons thunder. 

All aghast then death shall shiver, 
And great nature's frame shall quiver, 
When the graves their dead deliver. 

Book where every act's recorded, 

All events all time afforded, 

Shall be brought, and dooms awarded. 

10* 



114 HEAVENLY WATCHWOEDS; OR 



When shall sit the Judge unerring, 
He'll unfold all here occurring, 
No just vengeance then deferring. 

What shall I say that time pending ? 
Ask what Advocate's befriending, 
When the just man needs defending? 

King almighty and all knowing, 
Grace to sinners freely showing, 
Save me, Fount of good o'erflowing. 

Think, 0 Jesus, for what reason 

Thou enduredst earth's spite and treason, 

Nor me lose in that dread season. 

Seeking me thy worn feet hasted, 
On the cross thy soul death tasted, 
Let such labour not be wasted. 

Righteous Judge of retribution, 
Grant me perfect absolution, * 
Ere that day of execution. 

Culprit-like, I — heart all broken, 

On my cheek shame's crimson token- — 

Plead the pardoning word be spoken. 



PEOMISES AND COUNTERSIGNS. 

Thou who Mary gav'st remission, 
Heard'st the dying thief's petition, 
Cheerd'st with hope my lost condition. 

Though my prayers do nothing merit, 
What is needful thou confer it— 
Lest I endless fires inherit. 

'Mid the sheep a place decide me, 
And from goats on left divide me, 
Standing on the right beside me. 

When the accurst away are driven, 

To eternal burnings given, 

Call me with the blest to heaven. 

I beseech thee, prostrate lying, 
Heart as ashes, contrite, sighing, 
Care for me when I am dying. 

On that awful day of wailing, 
Human destinies unveiling, 
When man rising, stands before thee, 
Spare the culprit, God of glory. 



116 HEAVENLY WATCHWORDS J OR 



THE FREE REWARD. 

Should e'er thy wonder-working grace 

Triumph by our weak arm, 
Let not our sinful fancy trace 

Aught human in the charm : 
To our own nets ne'er bow we down, 

Lest on the eternal shore 
The angels, while our draught they own, 

Reject us evermore. 

Promise. Whosoever shall give to drink 
unto one of these little ones a cup of cold 
water in the name of a disciple, verily I say 
unto you, he shall in no wise lose his re- 
ward. He that hath pity upon the poor 
lendeth unto the Lord ; and that which he 
hath given will he pay him again. Now he 
that planteth and he that watereth are one : 
and every man shall receive his own reward 
according to his own labour. — Matt. x. 42 ; 
Prov. xix. 17 ; 1 Cor. iii. 8. 



PKOMISES AND COUNTEKSIGNS. 117 

Countersign. Thou art my Lord : my good- 
ness extendeth not to thee: but to the 
saints that are on the earth, and to the ex- 
cellent in whom is all my delight. — Psalm 
xvi. 2, 3. 

Proof. Other foundation can no man lay 
than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 
Now if any man build upon this foundation, 
gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, 
stubble ; every man's work shall be made 
manifest : for the day shall declare it, be- 
cause it shall be revealed by fire ; and the 
fire shall try every man's work, of what 
sort it is. If any man's work abide which 
he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a 
reward. If any man's work shall be burned, 
he shall suffer loss : but he himself shall be 
saved ; yet so as by fire. — For whosoever 
shall give you a cup of water to drink in 
my name, because ye belong to Christ, 
verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his 
reward. — 1 Cor. iii. 11-15 ; Mark ix. 41. 

"When this passing world is done, 
When has sunk yon glaring sun, 



118 HEAVENLY WATCHWOEDS; OR 

When we stand with Christ in glory, 
Looking o'er life's finished story, 
Then, Lord, shall I fully know — 
Not till then — how much I owe. 

When I hear the wicked call 
On the rocks and hills to fall, 
When I see them start and shrink 
On the fiery deluge-brink, 
Then, Lord, shall I fully know — 
Not till then — how much I owe. 

When I stand before the throne, 
Dressed in beauty not my own, 
When I see thee as thou art, 
Love thee with unsinning heart, 
Then, Lord, shall I fully know — 
Not till then — how much I owe. 

When the praise of heaven I hear, 
Loud as thunders to the ear, 
Loud as many waters' noise, 
Sweet as harp's melodious voice, 
Then, Lord, shall I fully know — 
Not till then — how much I owe. 

Even on earth, as through a glass 
Darkly, let thy glory pass, 



PROMISES AND COUNTERSIGNS, 119 

Make forgiveness feel so sweet, 
Make thy Spirit's help so meet, 
Even on earth, Lord, make me know 
Something of how much I owe. 

Chosen not for good in me, 
Wakened up from wrath to flee, 
Hidden in the Saviour's side, 
By the Spirit sanctified : 
Teach me, Lord, on earth to show, 
By my love, how much I owe. 

Oft I walk beneath the cloud, 
Dark as midnight's gloomy shroud ; 
But when fear is at the height, 
Jesus comes, and all is light ; 
Blessed Jesus ! bid me show 
Doubting saints how much I owe. 

When in flowery paths I tread, 

Oft by sin I'm captive led ; 

Oft I fall — but still arise — 

The Spirit comes — the tempter flies ; 

Blessed Spirit ! bid me show 

Weary sinners all I owe. 



120 HEAVENLY WATCHWORDS; OR 

Oft the nights of sorrow reign — 
Weeping, sickness, sighing, pain ; 
But a night thine anger burns — 
Morning comes and joy returns ; 
God of comforts ! bid me show 
To thy poor, how much I owe. 



THE ETERNAL GLORY. 

Here we behold thy distant face, 

And 'tis a pleasant sight ; 
But to abide in thine embrace 

Is infinite delight. 

The Assurance. So shall we ever be with 
the Lord. — 1 Thess. iv. 17. 

Countersign. Lord, what wilt thou have 
me to do ? — Acts ix. 6. 

Proof. And being made perfect, he is be- 
come the author of eternal salvation unto 
all them that obey him. — Eeb. v. 9. 



PKOMISES AND COUNTERSIGNS. 

" For ever with the Lord V- 

Amen, so let it be ; 
Life from the dead is in that word, 

'Tis immortality. 

Here in the body pent, 
Absent from him, I roam ; 

Yet nightly pitch my moving tent 
A day's march nearer home. 

My Father's house on high, 
Home of my soul, how near, 

At times, to faith's foreseeing eye, 
Thy golden gates appear ! 

Ah ! then my spirit faints 
To reach the land I love, 

The bright inheritance of saints, 
Jerusalem above. 

Yet clouds will intervene, 
And all my prospect flies, 

Like Noah's dove, I flit between 
Rough seas and stormy skies. 

Anon the clouds dispart, 

The winds and waters cease, 
n 



122 HEAVENLY WATCHWORDS; OR 

While sweetly o'er my gladdened heart 
Expands the bow of peace. 

Beneath its glowing arch, 
Along the hallowed ground, 

I see cherubic armies march, 
A camp of fire around. 

I hear at morn and even, 
At noon and midnight hour, 

The choral harmonies of heaven 
Earth's Babel tongues o'erpower. 

Then, then I feel that He, 

(Remembered or forgot,) 
The Lord, is never far from me, 

Though I perceive him not. 

PAET II. 

In darkness as in light, 

Hidden alike from view, 
I sleep, I wake within His sight, 

Who looks existence through. 

From the dim hour of birth, 
Through every changing state, 



PROMISES AND COUNTERSIGNS. 123 

Of mortal pilgrimage on earth, 
Till its appointed date ; 

All that I am, have been, 

All that I yet may be, 
He sees at once, as he hath seen, 

And shall for ever see. 

How can I meet his eyes ? 

Mine on the cross I cast, 
And own my life a Saviour's prize, 

Mercy from first to last. 

" For ever with the Lord !" 

Father, if 'tis thy will, 
The promise of that faithful word, 

Even here to me fulfil. 

Be thou at my right hand, 

Then can I never fail ; 
Uphold thou me, and I shall stand, 

Fight, and I must prevail. 

So when my latest breath 
Shall rend the veil in twain, 



124 heavenly watchwords; or 

By death I shall escape from death, 
And life eternal gain. 

Knowing as I am known, 

How shall I love that word, 
And oft repeat before the throne, 

" For ever with the Lord !" 

Then though the soul enjoy 

Communion high and sweet, 
While worms this body must destroy, 

Both shall in glory meet. 

The trump of final doom 

Will speak the self same word, 
And heaven's voice thunder through the 
tomb, 

" For ever with the Lord !" 

The tomb shall echo deep 

That death-awakening sound ; 

The saints shall hear it in their sleep, 
And answer from the ground. 

Then upward as they fly, 
That resurrection-word 



PKOMISES AND COUNTEKSIGNS. 125 



Shall be their shout of victory, 
" For ever with the Lord." 

That resurrection-word, 

That shout of victory, 

Once more — " For ever with the Lord !" 

Amen, so let it be. 
11* 



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